1/3/2026
Bloomington Speedway
Bloomington Speedway Remembers Phil Deckard
Bloomington Speedway and the Bloomington Speedway family mourns the loss of former announcer Phil Deckard who passed away on December 26 at the age of 85. He was born in Bloomington and graduated from Bloomington South High School. He spent much of his adult life in Martinsville where he was a business owner and deeply committed to public and community service. His record of service in a range of capacities was impressive.
He began his side career as an announcer when longtime SCIRA, Paragon, and Bloomington announcer Lee Vickery stepped away. He first began at Paragon Speedway and he would add Bloomington and Lincoln Park to his resume. Billy Sheppard who was of great help to this remembrance notes, "When Eddie Sheppard first hired him he took to being an race announcer from day one. On night one you would have thought he had done it for 30 years." Known as the "Golden Voice" his work on the public address took him throughout the region and included a long stint as the voice of Martinsville High School athletics.
There are many of have made an indelible contribution to the rich history of the Historic Bloomington Speedway -- and among that list was Phil Deckard. We offer our thoughts and condolences to his family and friends.
Photo courtesy of Billy Sheppard
Article Credit: Patrick Sullivan
